Camino Fossil AD 1999

Lately there were a lot of threads regarding what to do with "leftover gear" here in Santiago, here on the forum and also in various Facebook groups. Ann from Pilgrim House and I came up with an idea - bring it to us and we will clean it, do minor repairs if necessary and then hand it over to the Franciscans that run the homeless shelter here in Santiago. These men that live on the streets need the same things as pilgrims do: backpacks to transport their belongings, rain gear to stay dry, clothes to stay warm etc. So if you want to leave things behind in Santiago, you can bring it to:

Veteran Member

Such a super idea, S!
So the camino can be another potential source of joy - knowing someone's life is a little less harsh as a result of us letting go of gear we don't need, and you doing whatever is necssary to make it serviceable.
May many people be more comfortable thanks to this generosity and kindness. This is the Camino in action, walking the talk....

Veteran Member

Lately there were a lot of threads regarding what to do with "leftover gear" here in Santiago, here on the forum and also in various Facebook groups. Ann from Pilgrim House and I came up with an idea - bring it to us and we will clean it, do minor repairs if necessary and then hand it over to the Franciscans that run the homeless shelter here in Santiago. These men that live on the streets need the same things as pilgrims do: backpacks to transport their belongings, rain gear to stay dry, clothes to stay warm etc. So if you want to leave things behind in Santiago, you can bring it to:

Active Member

Lately there were a lot of threads regarding what to do with "leftover gear" here in Santiago, here on the forum and also in various Facebook groups. Ann from Pilgrim House and I came up with an idea - bring it to us and we will clean it, do minor repairs if necessary and then hand it over to the Franciscans that run the homeless shelter here in Santiago. These men that live on the streets need the same things as pilgrims do: backpacks to transport their belongings, rain gear to stay dry, clothes to stay warm etc. So if you want to leave things behind in Santiago, you can bring it to:

Veteran Member

I have been bringing stuff to Pilgrim House for several years now. In fact, I go through my closet at home and select surplus-to-needs clothing that has a potential use to a pilgrim. For the past three years, I have been checking an extra bag of stuff to donate there.

I also donate items after my Caminos if it is something that I decided I do not need, want, or something I tested and found not suitable to MY needs. I do this regularly.

Yes, I could donate these items locally. But, here in South Florida, people do not generally wear as much clothing as they do on Camino. Besides, it is a better way to get stuff to people who I KNOW can use it, as opposed to 'bottom shoppers,' people with means who shop in charity shops, as opposed to people in need who have no alternative...but I digress...

It's just what I do... Our friend Sybil has very kindly expanded her ministry to include partnering with Pilgrim House to undertake this joint donativo effort. So, if you are going that way, take your extra, Camino-capable clothing items and post them ahead to Santiago. The cost is nil.

Once there, donate them. Also, donate the items you carried or wore into Santiago and will no longer need or want.

Active Member

Lately there were a lot of threads regarding what to do with "leftover gear" here in Santiago, here on the forum and also in various Facebook groups. Ann from Pilgrim House and I came up with an idea - bring it to us and we will clean it, do minor repairs if necessary and then hand it over to the Franciscans that run the homeless shelter here in Santiago. These men that live on the streets need the same things as pilgrims do: backpacks to transport their belongings, rain gear to stay dry, clothes to stay warm etc. So if you want to leave things behind in Santiago, you can bring it to:

Thank you, Sybil. This is a wonderful idea. In fact, lately I have been wondering what happens to all the gear many pilgrims say they leave behind in Santiago. Specifically, I wondered about trekking poles because, unlike clothing and packs, who in Santiago could use them. So, does anyone know what happens to trekking poles that are left in Santiago? or confiscated at the airport?

Camino Fossil AD 1999

...Specifically, I wondered about trekking poles because, unlike clothing and packs, who in Santiago could use them. So, does anyone know what happens to trekking poles that are left in Santiago? or confiscated at the airport?

Active Member

Thank you, Sybil. This is a wonderful idea. In fact, lately I have been wondering what happens to all the gear many pilgrims say they leave behind in Santiago. Specifically, I wondered about trekking poles because, unlike clothing and packs, who in Santiago could use them. So, does anyone know what happens to trekking poles that are left in Santiago? or confiscated at the airport?

Veteran Member

To pick up on the exchange with my friend Sybil above regarding trekking poles...

Many pilgrims abandon their trekking poles and staffs at the Pilgrim Office. Many are wooden staffs ranging from dead branches to commercially sourced and nicely decorated staffs. Other pilgrims deposit their segmented aluminum, steel, and carbon fiber, trekking poles as well.

The reasons are simple:

The staff or poles is / are now surplus to needs, and no longer wanted, for any reason.

It is problematic taking on an airplane in most cases. People who know this avoid taking them to the airport.

At the airport, confiscated hiking poles disappear. I do not know where they go. I presume they end up in the trash...or recycling if we are lucky.

At the Pilgrim Office, there is an informal scheme to recycle all the abandoned hiking staffs and poles:

Wooden staffs are periodically collected by a local charity that strips the staff of metal bits and cuts them to stove lengths. There are still folks living around Santiago who use wood or coal for heating and cooking, the cut wood staffs become kindling or stove wood.

Pilgrim Office staff or volunteers (like me) may triage the abandoned metal and carbon fiber poles to pick out the best quality and condition sets. These are taken to Pilgrim House for their donativo. Occasionally some go to Sybil at Egeria House. However, this is maybe only 1 out of 20 abandoned sets of poles. Only the best are recycled this way.

Outside Santiago, at the Contemporary Art Museum up on the hill, there is an evolving sculpture made entirely of abandoned trekking poles. When abandoned, if the pilgrim tagged the staff of trekking pole with a white card ticket (provided there) as a sign requests, these items are not recycled but are periodically picked up by someone from the museum for eventual addition to the sculpture. This 'dump' is at the Pilgrim Office.

Trekking poles or staffs not skimmed off for local donativo purposes, taken for firewood, or tagged for use in the sculpture, are generally placed in the recycling pile, adjacent to the trash. Here, they are periodically disposed of. One hopes they are in fact recycled...

Any pilgrim arriving at the Pilgrim Office who NEEDS trekking poles, needs only to ask a volunteer or a staff member if they can have something from the discard pile. Volunteer wear blue ACC camisetas (t-shirts). Staff members wear regular clothing.

I have never heard a 'no' answer. In July and August when I am there, I often help pilgrims find a good set of poles. People only have to ask. There are plenty to go around, especially in summer.

Volcano Climber

Lately there were a lot of threads regarding what to do with "leftover gear" here in Santiago, here on the forum and also in various Facebook groups. Ann from Pilgrim House and I came up with an idea - bring it to us and we will clean it, do minor repairs if necessary and then hand it over to the Franciscans that run the homeless shelter here in Santiago. These men that live on the streets need the same things as pilgrims do: backpacks to transport their belongings, rain gear to stay dry, clothes to stay warm etc. So if you want to leave things behind in Santiago, you can bring it to:

Camino Fossil AD 1999

Five big and heavy bags full with shoes/boots, clothing, toiletries and other goodies have been delivered to the Franciscans today. Thank you all ever so much for making that possible and remember to bring us your unwanted gear instead of binning it!

Veteran Member

To pick up on the exchange with my friend Sybil above regarding trekking poles...

Many pilgrims abandon their trekking poles and staffs at the Pilgrim Office. Many are wooden staffs ranging from dead branches to commercially sourced and nicely decorated staffs. Other pilgrims deposit their segmented aluminum, steel, and carbon fiber, trekking poles as well.

The reasons are simple:

The staff or poles is / are now surplus to needs, and no longer wanted, for any reason.

It is problematic taking on an airplane in most cases. People who know this avoid taking them to the airport.

At the airport, confiscated hiking poles disappear. I do not know where they go. I presume they end up in the trash...or recycling if we are lucky.

At the Pilgrim Office, there is an informal scheme to recycle all the abandoned hiking staffs and poles:

Wooden staffs are periodically collected by a local charity that strips the staff of metal bits and cuts them to stove lengths. There are still folks living around Santiago who use wood or coal for heating and cooking, the cut wood staffs become kindling or stove wood.

Pilgrim Office staff or volunteers (like me) may triage the abandoned metal and carbon fiber poles to pick out the best quality and condition sets. These are taken to Pilgrim House for their donativo. Occasionally some go to Sybil at Egeria House. However, this is maybe only 1 out of 20 abandoned sets of poles. Only the best are recycled this way.

Outside Santiago, at the Contemporary Art Museum up on the hill, there is an evolving sculpture made entirely of abandoned trekking poles. When abandoned, if the pilgrim tagged the staff of trekking pole with a white card ticket (provided there) as a sign requests, these items are not recycled but are periodically picked up by someone from the museum for eventual addition to the sculpture. This 'dump' is at the Pilgrim Office.

Trekking poles or staffs not skimmed off for local donativo purposes, taken for firewood, or tagged for use in the sculpture, are generally placed in the recycling pile, adjacent to the trash. Here, they are periodically disposed of. One hopes they are in fact recycled...

Any pilgrim arriving at the Pilgrim Office who NEEDS trekking poles, needs only to ask a volunteer or a staff member if they can have something from the discard pile. Volunteer wear blue ACC camisetas (t-shirts). Staff members wear regular clothing.

I have never heard a 'no' answer. In July and August when I am there, I often help pilgrims find a good set of poles. People only have to ask. There are plenty to go around, especially in summer.

Moderator

Five big and heavy bags full with shoes/boots, clothing, toiletries and other goodies have been delivered to the Franciscans today. Thank you all ever so much for making that possible and remember to bring us your unwanted gear instead of binning it!

Active Member

To pick up on the exchange with my friend Sybil above regarding trekking poles...

Many pilgrims abandon their trekking poles and staffs at the Pilgrim Office. Many are wooden staffs ranging from dead branches to commercially sourced and nicely decorated staffs. Other pilgrims deposit their segmented aluminum, steel, and carbon fiber, trekking poles as well.

The reasons are simple:

The staff or poles is / are now surplus to needs, and no longer wanted, for any reason.

It is problematic taking on an airplane in most cases. People who know this avoid taking them to the airport.

At the airport, confiscated hiking poles disappear. I do not know where they go. I presume they end up in the trash...or recycling if we are lucky.

At the Pilgrim Office, there is an informal scheme to recycle all the abandoned hiking staffs and poles:

Wooden staffs are periodically collected by a local charity that strips the staff of metal bits and cuts them to stove lengths. There are still folks living around Santiago who use wood or coal for heating and cooking, the cut wood staffs become kindling or stove wood.

Pilgrim Office staff or volunteers (like me) may triage the abandoned metal and carbon fiber poles to pick out the best quality and condition sets. These are taken to Pilgrim House for their donativo. Occasionally some go to Sybil at Egeria House. However, this is maybe only 1 out of 20 abandoned sets of poles. Only the best are recycled this way.

Outside Santiago, at the Contemporary Art Museum up on the hill, there is an evolving sculpture made entirely of abandoned trekking poles. When abandoned, if the pilgrim tagged the staff of trekking pole with a white card ticket (provided there) as a sign requests, these items are not recycled but are periodically picked up by someone from the museum for eventual addition to the sculpture. This 'dump' is at the Pilgrim Office.

Trekking poles or staffs not skimmed off for local donativo purposes, taken for firewood, or tagged for use in the sculpture, are generally placed in the recycling pile, adjacent to the trash. Here, they are periodically disposed of. One hopes they are in fact recycled...

Any pilgrim arriving at the Pilgrim Office who NEEDS trekking poles, needs only to ask a volunteer or a staff member if they can have something from the discard pile. Volunteer wear blue ACC camisetas (t-shirts). Staff members wear regular clothing.

I have never heard a 'no' answer. In July and August when I am there, I often help pilgrims find a good set of poles. People only have to ask. There are plenty to go around, especially in summer.

Celtic Lass

, it is a better way to get stuff to people who I KNOW can use it, as opposed to 'bottom shoppers,' people with means who shop in charity shops, as opposed to people in need who have no alternative...but I digress...

I am a "bottom shopper" and proud of it. One of the reasons I am a person of means is because I am willing to buy used stuff instead of having to have NEW NEW NEW. There is so much stuff donated to charity shops that I know my purchases are certainly not taking away from those in need. My purchases also support the charity shops. In preparing for my upcoming camino I have been pleased to purchase pants, tops, jackets, hat, many of said items for under $10 each, instead of $80 (for a pair of pants). (I do draw the line at used underwear ;>} ) I have been able to test out a lot of gear for very little cash outlay and do not feel guilty in donating back the items that have not worked out. Being a bottom shopper will also allow me to give more at the Donativos, which I will happily and whole heartedly do.

SYeats- If womens clothing is also welcome, I will find you when I reach Santiago.

Celtic Lass

No slight taken ! I did want to use your mention of shopping at thrift stores to promote finding stuff for walking the camino. Seriously, I have saved mega bucks by taking the time to hit my favorite stores on a regular basis and have found some barely used clothing, (and some brand new, with tags still on them) for amazing rock bottom prices. I am talking big name brands like REI, Columbia, etc. It does give one a chance to test various items before taking them on the Camino..... Now, if I could only find that perfect Merino wool item

Hola Chris,
Well, you didn't really miss anything! Thrift shops aren't as much of a thing in Spain as they are in the US. I've only known of 2 in Santiago and they were both tiny and far away from the center. I much prefer the Salvation Army and Goodwill shops!

Veteran Member

Yes, I also frequent both of those in the US, too, and they are quite large with lots of merchandise. Every time I go, I bring with me a bag of items from home to donate.
My original comment was rather tongue in cheek. 😉